Review of Casque d'Or (1952) by Art S — 29 Jan 2011

Jacques Becker's tale of mobsters in Belle Epoque Paris is certainly well put together but something seems missing. Perhaps the character of Manda, the ex-con gone straight, is too strong and silent for us to believe in his true love and true friendship (although his actions reveal this).

Simon Signoret's character too seems one-dimensional, without any insight into the emotional effects of her ever-changing relationships. Still, Becker masterfully evokes another time and place and raises the film above the cliches that a straight reading of the plot might suggest.